Appendix B
Summary of ARC Recommendations
Micro UAS Aviation Rulemaking Committee Recommendations Summary
What is the weight
or impact energy
threshold for UAS
to qualify for
operations under
this category?
Category 1
UAS weighs 250
grams or less.
Are there industry
consensus
performance
standards with
which the UAS
must comply to
qualify for
operations under
this category?
No, but the ARC
recommends the FAA
invite industry to
develop voluntary
consensus standards.
How do
manufacturers
demonstrate to the
FAA that their
UAS complies with
industry consensus
standards?
Either: (1) label the
product retail
packaging with the
actual weight of the
unmanned aircraft or
with a general
statement that the
unmanned aircraft
weighs 250 grams or
less; or (2) declare that
the unmanned aircraft
weighs 250 grams or
April 1, 2016
Category 2
UAS causes less than a
1% chance of AIS level
3 or greater injury, as
expressed in the rule by
not exceeding an impact
energy threshold defined
by the FAA in J/cm².
Yes. The industry
consensus standard
must, at a minimum: (1)
establish a test to
measure the typical
impact energy of the
unmanned aircraft to
determine whether it
meets the specified
impact energy threshold;
(2) study impact of
exposed rotating parts to
safety analysis; and (3)
require the manufacturer
of the unmanned aircraft
to provide an operating
manual to the operator.
(1) Declare that the
UAS meets applicable
industry consensus
standards for operation
over people; (2) submit
that declaration to the
FAA in a form and
manner acceptable to
the FAA; and (3) label
the product and or
product retail packaging
in accordance with
Category 3
UAS causes less than a
30% chance of AIS level
3 or greater injury, as
expressed in the rule by
not exceeding an impact
energy threshold defined
by the FAA in J/cm².
Yes. The industry
consensus standard
must: (1) W7F&Ɨ6